Jimmy Carter’s Cold War Legacy: How His Human Rights Vision Shattered the Soviet Union

Former President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, in his home in Plains, Georgia. Initially a little-known Democratic candidate, Carter made history by defeating incumbent Gerald Ford in the 1976 presidential election.

His campaign, rooted in a promise of a new era of transparency and integrity, appealed to voters disillusioned by the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. Despite his vision, Carter’s presidency spanned just one term, ending with the election of Ronald Reagan. Over the years, his legacy has sparked debate, especially regarding his foreign policy, which many critics deem ineffective.

As a historian examining Carter’s foreign policy, I argue that his efforts were far more impactful than generally portrayed. The criticism primarily emerges from the context of the Cold War—a tense era marked by antagonism and escalating arms buildups between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. By the 1970s, the Soviet Union was experiencing economic decline and diminishing global influence. With insights from National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, Carter tactically addressed these vulnerabilities.

Carter’s presidency was notable for the promotion of basic freedoms worldwide, particularly in condemning the Soviet Union for denying Jewish citizens their civil rights, directly challenging the Helsinki Accords’ human rights provisions. His administration highlighted these violations during arms negotiations. Additionally, the CIA’s strategic initiatives, including disseminating literature, aimed at fostering human rights movements within the USSR.

According to advisor Stuart Eizenstat, this approach targeted the Soviet regime’s most sensitive area—the treatment of its citizens—ultimately paving the way for significant reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in the late 1980s, exemplified by the policy of glasnost.

In December 1979, Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan, a decisive shift that concluded the U.S.-Soviet détente. Prior to the invasion, the U.S. had already been supporting mujahideen rebels against the USSR. Following the military action, Carter intensified this support, enabling a proxy war that significantly strained Soviet resources.

This intervention aimed not just at countering Soviet influence but also at engaging them in a conflict reminiscent of America’s Vietnam experience—an expensive and harrowing undertaking for the Soviet economy. The U.S. also implemented a grain embargo against the USSR in 1980, targeting their agricultural deficiencies, which economists have since recognized as significantly disruptive.

Surging agricultural demands due to population growth exacerbated food shortages, leading to inefficiencies in Soviet grain production. By heightening economic pressures, the embargo contributed to widespread dissatisfaction within the USSR amid increasing scarcity.

In tandem with these actions, Carter initiated a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics in response to the Soviet Union’s oppressive actions and the invasion of Afghanistan. This move received considerable public support, with 73% of Americans endorsing the decision. Such diplomatic isolation damaged the USSR’s international standing significantly, according to historians.

During the 1980 State of the Union address, Carter introduced what came to be known as the “Carter Doctrine,” which framed the Soviet presence in Afghanistan as a direct threat to U.S. interests, affirming readiness to respond militarily. Though criticized by Reagan as indicative of weakness, Carter’s defense policies were later acknowledged by Reagan himself as pivotal in strengthening U.S. military capabilities.

Carter’s advocacy for human rights continues to define his post-presidency, earning him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. However, it’s essential to recognize that his foreign policy aimed at promoting human rights was integral to undermining Soviet power during his administration.